Highway work threatens future of historic Woodlawn Stables

A historic farm that sits on grounds once owned by President George Washington could soon be the victim of base realignment.

Some of the horses at Woodlawn Stables in Mt. Vernon threatened by highway improvements. (WTOP/Hank Silverberg)

WASHINGTON – A historic farm that sits on grounds once owned by President George Washington could soon be the victim of base realignment.

Home to 50 horses, Woodlawn Stables near Mount Vernon also serves as a riding school. But a $180 million project to improve Route 1 around Fort Belvoir could put eight lanes of traffic straight through the riding grounds.

The highway re-routing is an effort to ease traffic congestion in and out of Fort Belvoir where thousands of military workers have relocated. It will also provide better access to the new hospital.

A group called Save Woodlawn Stables is drafting a petition which the group plans to present at a public hearing June 5.

WTOP’s Hank Silverberg contributed to this report. Follow Hank and WTOP on Twitter.